Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill allowing certain teachers to carry handguns in public schools, following a deadly shooting at a Nashville school last year. The bill requires teachers to meet specific requirements, including obtaining a handgun carry permit, written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement, and undergoing 40 hours of handgun training. Critics argue that the bill is dangerous and unwanted by teachers, while proponents believe it could provide a more immediate response to shooting situations, particularly in rural areas with limited law enforcement resources. This move is part of a larger push by Tennessee Republicans to loosen gun laws, including expanding permitless carry for handguns and allowing private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have guns on campus.
The parents of Nashville shooter Audrey Hale have transferred ownership of her "manifesto" to the families of Covenant School students who are battling to stop them from being released. Hale's voluminous writings, including diaries, journals, and drawings, are being sought by freedom of information advocates, politicians, a newspaper, and gun-rights groups to understand her motives and mental state. The Covenant School is fiercely opposed to the release of the documents, and the Metro Nashville Police Department remains in control of the manifesto, which is part of an ongoing investigation.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bipartisan legislation that aims to enhance school safety across the state following the deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville earlier this year. Under the legislation, security guards will be required to receive active shooter training, schools’ exterior doors must be locked during school hours, and schools will need to develop an annual school safety plan to be shared with law enforcement. Additionally, school districts will also establish threat assessment teams and any school buildings constructed or remodeled after July 1 will have to include security enhancements such as doors that can be locked from the inside.
More than two weeks after the Nashville Christian school shooting, investigators have not yet identified a clear motive in the attacker’s journal writings, and authorities have not provided any details publicly to back up their early suggestion that the shooter may have felt resentment toward the school. One of Tennessee’s top law enforcement officials said in a recent meeting that the writings of the 28-year-old shooter, Audrey Hale, appear to be ramblings and indicative of a mental health struggle. A federal law enforcement source verified to NBC News that no direct motive has been established in the investigation and suggested that the driving force of the attack was similar to previous school shootings in which the assailant was drawn to other mass killers.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed an executive order to strengthen background checks for gun purchases and urged lawmakers to pass legislation tightening gun laws. The move comes after a school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead. The order attempts to strengthen background checks by mandating that new criminal activity be reported to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation within 72 hours and requires the bureau to examine the current process for purchasing guns in the state. The governor also urged lawmakers to pass red flag laws, which allow authorities to temporarily seize firearms from people who are found to be a threat to themselves or others.
A search warrant executed at Audrey Hale's home after the Covenant school shooting yielded 20 journals, 5 school yearbooks, and a suicide note, among other items. The raid also uncovered four additional guns, despite Hale's parents claiming they did not approve of guns and thought their daughter had sold her weapons. The revelation came as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proposed a $200 million-plus plan to bolster school safety, including $140 million to arm teachers. Lee did not address specific questions related to changes to gun laws but stated that individuals who are a threat to themselves or others should not have access to weapons.
A search warrant executed at the home of Audrey Hale, the shooter who killed six people at a Nashville school last week, revealed a suicide note, additional weapons and ammunition, and journals related to "school shootings; firearm courses." The investigation shows that Hale fired 152 rounds in the attack, which was planned "over a period of months." Police continue to work to determine a motive for the attack, but it's believed the victims were fired upon at random. The shooting renewed debate over American gun violence, access to firearms, and school safety.
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., has called for permanent school walkouts until comprehensive gun control legislation is passed. She applauded students for walking out of schools to protest gun violence in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, last month. King wishes to organize students in a way that their walkout is not a day, but a Montgomery bus protest, where they refuse to return to school until there is significant legislation that bans assault weapons. King's father was assassinated with a rifle that would be the equivalent of what we call assault weapons today, and 55 years later, access to these instruments is increasing.
A search warrant revealed that a suicide note, weapons, and ammunition were found in the home of Audrey Hale, the shooter who killed six people at a Nashville school last week. Hale, who was under care for an emotional disorder, had legally purchased seven firearms and hidden them at home.
Kelsea Ballerini paid tribute to the victims of the recent Nashville shooting and shared her own experience with gun violence at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. She also enlisted several RuPaul's Drag Race alumni for a performance in protest against Tennessee's new law criminalizing drag revues. Shania Twain used her acceptance speech for the Equal Play Award to demand an equal workspace for all talent in country music. The ceremony also featured performances from Wynonna Judd, Alanis Morissette, Darius Rucker, Gwen Stefani, and more.
The Biden White House has been criticized for ignoring the victims of the recent Nashville shooting at a Christian school, which appears to have been a hate crime targeted at the Christian community. Instead, the White House has been focused on promoting transgender rights, with President Biden issuing a proclamation declaring March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility” and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice holding a “White House Roundtable Affirming Transgender Kids.” Critics argue that the administration is using the transgender issue as a political tool to demonize Republicans and promote their own agenda, while ignoring the tragedy that occurred in Nashville.
Cindy Peak, a substitute teacher killed during a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, was remembered as a devoted mother, a "spitfire," and a longtime educator who brought out the best in her students. Peak invested her life fully in the encouragement of others, said pastor Scott Sauls during the service. Peak was among six people killed when a former student opened fire at the private Christian school. Her love for her children "launched her into another stratosphere," said her sister Debbie Dunlap.
Transgender activists have been protesting at state capitol buildings across the US against legislation restricting gender transition procedures for children and the teaching of gender identity in schools. The protests come in the same week as a transgender individual was identified as the shooter responsible for the Nashville Christian school shooting. LGBTQ activists marched on the Florida Capitol after the state's Republican-controlled House passed a bill restricting the use of preferred pronouns in schools. Protests also occurred in Kentucky and Missouri against legislation banning puberty blockers, hormones, and gender transition surgeries for children under 18, as well as preventing transgender students from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Republican representatives Andy Ogles and Lance Gooden have requested that the suspect in the Nashville school shooting be charged with hate crimes, believing that the shooter targeted the Covenant Christian School because it is a religious institution. Investigators are still unclear on the shooter’s motive, and police have no information to indicate that the shooter was targeting any one of the six individuals who were murdered. Sens. Josh Hawley and John Kennedy have also requested that the shooting be considered a hate crime. Nashville police and the FBI are analyzing a manifesto the shooter prepared.
The first funeral service for the victims of the Nashville mass shooting will be held on Friday for nine-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus, who will be laid to rest on Saturday in a private burial. She was one of three children and three staff members who were gunned down last Monday by a 28-year-old who had previously attended the private Christian school. Her loved ones described her as a "shining light" and invited guests to wear pink or other joyful hues in tribute to her "love of color". More funerals will take place this weekend and into next week.
